Developers to fund town link road
Developers could pay almost £3 million towards the construction of the new Oxon Link Road in Shrewsbury if plans for a huge housing estate get the go ahead.
Plans were first submitted to Shropshire Council in 2014 for land at Churncote, on the Welshpool Road near Bicton Heath, to be turned in to an estate of 296 homes, a petrol station, offices, a restaurant and a hotel.
Under a draft Section 106 agreement, which was put before Shropshire Council planners late last year, the developers, David Wilson Homes and Jennings Estates, estimate they would pay £2,795,756 in contributions towards the link road, which is planned to run from the A5 by pass at the Welshpool roundabout to join with the Holyhead Road.
The road is part of the Shrewsbury West sustainable urban extension and work is due to be completed by 2021 at a cost of £12 million.
In addition to the developer's contribution, the road will be funded by Growth Deal funding via the Marches LEP.
Tim Rogers, Shropshire Council’s area planning manager, said: “The developers of this housing development will make an financial contribution to education provision through the appropriate Community Infrastructure Levy contribution.
“The S106 will require appropriate contributions to the provision of the Oxon Link Road (financial and land) as well as affordable housing, open space and ecological mitigation.
“Final details are currently being agreed.”
On the estate there would be one, two, three, four and five bedroom homes, which would be terraced, semi-detached and detached. They would be predominantly two storey.
The plans have attracted huge controversy from those living nearby. Residents of Calcott Lane and Shepherd's Lane said the development would 'swamp the village' and create traffic problems.
Dozens of letters of objection were received by the council and in 2016 Highways England voiced its concerns.
Many claim the development would cause local businesses, including the petrol station and convenience store at Ford on the A458, damage and may even force it to close, at a cost of 20 jobs.
A two day exhibition illustrating the proposed link road opens today (WEDS) and is being held at Oxon Church Hall between noon and 8pm.
The exhibition will give people the chance to look at the proposed road scheme which form part of the formal planning submission
They will have the opportunity to look at the proposals for the new road, meet the design team from Shropshire Council and Mouchel, ask questions, and make comments.
The proposals will also be available to view online on the council’s online planning portal from next month.
